Operative outcomes beyond 30-day mortality: colorectal cancer surgery in oldest old.

BACKGROUND: Resections for elderly colorectal cancer (CRC) are forecasted to grow, particularly in those beyond the age limit of screening (>80 years). However, literature on operative outcomes after CRC procedures in the oldest old is focused primarily on operative mortality. We hypothesize that older age will additionally impact operative morbidity after CRC resections in a multihospital, risk-adjusted database. STUDY DESIGN: We identified 19,375 patients >40 years who underwent CRC procedures in the 2005 to 2008 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative factors were compared by age groups. Multivariable techniques were used to assess the effects of older age on operative outcome measures, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Over 20% of our cohort was older than 80 years. Of those, 17% developed major complications and 29% experienced prolonged length of stay (LOS). Older patients also experienced higher rates of 30-day operative mortality (>80 years vs. 45-55 years; 6% vs. <1%), major complications (>80 years vs. 45-55 years; 21% vs. 14%), and prolonged LOS after open (>80 years vs. 45-55 years; 37% vs. 24%) and laparoscopic procedures (>80 years vs. 45-55 years; 40.5% vs. 18%). These unadjusted comparisons persisted in multivariable analyses demonstrating that older age independently predicted worse operative outcomes after CRC procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of older age extend to other important outcome measures after CRC procedures beyond operative mortality. As one of the largest multihospital studies, our study identified increased morbidity in the oldest old, a growing population. Our results should stimulate review of current policy and resource allocation.

Clostridium difficile enteritis after colectomy.

Clostridium difficile infection of the colon is, unfortunately, a relatively common occurrence that typically follows treatment with antibiotics; however, C. difficile infection of the small bowel is a much more rare phenomenon with only 19 cases reported to date. We present three cases of isolated C. difficile enteritis after colectomy. Although all three patients were identified early and successfully treated with medical management without the need for surgical intervention, previous authors have suggested a much higher morbidity and mortality rate with this infection. This article reviews the current available literature on C. difficile enteritis to highlight this potentially serious condition in postoperative colectomy patients who present with low-grade fevers, abdominal or pelvic pain, and increased ileostomy output.

Does infliximab infusion impact results of operative treatment for Crohn's perianal fistulas?

PURPOSE: Infliximab is an effective treatment for active intestinal Crohn's disease; however, the efficacy of infliximab in perianal Crohn's disease is controversial. This study was designed to compare patients with Crohn's disease who underwent perianal fistula surgery with or without infliximab infusion. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 226 consecutive patients with Crohn's disease who underwent operative treatment with or without infliximab (3-6 infusions of 5 mg/kg) from March 1991 through December 2005 was completed. Patients were classified as completely healed, minimally symptomatic (seton placement with minimal drainage and/or infliximab dependence), and failure (persistent or recurrent symptomatic fistula, diverting procedure, or proctectomy). RESULTS: A total of 226 patients underwent operative treatment alone (n = 147) or in combination with infliximab infusion (n = 79). Age, gender, and preoperative history of intestinal and perianal Crohn's disease were similar between groups. Mean follow-up was 30 (range, 6-216) months. Operative treatment consisted of seton drainage (n = 112), conventional fistulotomy (n = 92), fibrin glue injection (n = 14), advancement flap (n = 5), collagen plug insertion (n = 2), and transperineal repair (n = 1). Eighty-eight patients (60 percent) healed completely with operative treatment alone, and 47 patients (59 percent) healed after operative treatment in combination with infliximab (P = not significant). CONCLUSIONS: Operative treatment of perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease resulted in complete healing in approximately 60 percent of patients. Preoperative infliximab infusion did not affect overall healing rates.

Artificial bowel sphincter: long-term experience at a single institution.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate a single-institution experience with the Acticon artificial bowel sphincter for the treatment of intractable fecal incontinence. METHODS: At the University of Minnesota, 45 consecutive patients underwent artificial bowel sphincter placement (Group I, 1989-1992, n = 10; Group II, 1997-2001, n = 35). Group I was reviewed retrospectively and Group II prospectively. RESULTS: The outcome for Group I patients was initially reported in 1995 (mean age, 32; range, 15-52 years; 7 males). Of these 10 patients, 4 required explantation (2 required stomas), and 6 have a functional artificial bowel sphincter; 2 patients had devices successfully replaced for fluid leaks (at 6 and 10 years). In Group II, artificial bowel sphincter placement was attempted in 37 patients and was successful in 35 (mean age, 47; range, 18-72 years; 11 males). A total of 14 patients required explantation, 12 (34 percent) for infection and 2 (6 percent) for pain. In total, 13 patients have required 21 revisions, including 7 complete device replacements. The infection rate for revisions was 19 percent; four patients required explantation after revisions. Of 18 patients whose artificial bowel sphincter failed, 9 required a stoma. In all, 17 (49 percent) patients have a functional artificial bowel sphincter. In Group II fecal incontinence severity scores decreased from a mean of 103 preimplant to 59 at one year and to 23 at two or more years (P < 0.001) in patients who retained their devices. Quality of life scores improved in all patients at six months and at one year (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Artificial bowel sphincter therapy leads to long-term improved continence and quality of life in patients whose implantation is successful. Success rates have not improved in the two patient groups, with infection remaining a major challenge. However, once successfully established, artificial bowel sphincter function remains stable for many years.

Surgical therapy for anorectal melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Anorectal melanoma is a rare but highly lethal malignancy. Historically, radical resection was considered the "gold standard" for treatment of potentially curable anorectal melanoma. The dismal prognosis of this disease has prompted us to recommend wide local excision as the initial therapeutic approach. The purpose of this study was to review our results in patients who underwent wide local excision or radical surgery (abdominoperineal resection [APR]) for localized anorectal melanoma. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed the charts of all patients referred for resection of anorectal melanoma between 1988 and 2002. Endpoints included overall survival, disease-free survival, and local, regional, or systemic recurrence. RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent curative-intent surgery; four underwent APR and 11 underwent wide local excision. Eight patients (53%) are alive; 7 (47%) are disease-free (followup 6 months to 13 years). Of 12 patients who have been followed for more than 2 years, 4 are alive (33%) and 3 are disease-free (25%). Seven patients have been followed for more than 5 years and two are alive and disease-free (29%). All of the longterm survivors underwent local excision as the initial operation. There were no differences in local recurrence, systemic recurrence, disease-free survival, or overall survival between the APR group and the local excision group. Local recurrence occurred in 50% of the APR group and 18% of the local excision group; regional recurrence occurred in 25% versus 27%. Distant metastases were common (75% versus 36%). CONCLUSION: In patients who have undergone resection with curative intent for anorectal melanoma, most recurrences occur systemically regardless of the initial surgical procedure. Local resection does not increase the risk of local or regional recurrence. APR offers no survival advantage over local excision. We advocate wide local excision as primary therapy for anorectal melanoma when technically feasible.

The safety and efficacy of the artificial bowel sphincter for fecal incontinence: results from a multicenter cohort study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and impact on quality of life of the Acticon trade mark artificial bowel sphincter for fecal incontinence. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial was conducted under a common protocol. Patients were evaluated with anal physiology, endoanal ultrasonography, a fecal incontinence scoring system, fecal incontinence quality of life assessment, and overall health evaluation. Patients with a fecal incontinence score of 88 or greater (scale, 1-120) were considered candidates for the study. Implanted patients underwent identical reevaluation at 6 and 12 months postimplant. RESULTS: One hundred twelve of 115 patients (86 females) enrolled were implanted. Mean age was 49 (range, 18-81) years. A total of 384 device-related or potentially device-related adverse events were reported in 99 enrolled patients. Of these events, 246 required no intervention or only noninvasive intervention. Seventy-three revisional operations were required in 51 (46 percent) of the 112 implanted patients. Infection rate necessitating surgical revision was 25 percent. Forty-one patients (37 percent) have had their devices completely explanted, of which 7 have had successful reimplantations. In patients with a functioning neosphincter, improvement in quality of life and anal continence was documented. Mean matched fecal incontinence scores in 63 patients at 6 months follow-up was improved from 105 preimplant to 51 postimplant. In 55 patients at 12 months follow-up, mean matched fecal incontinence scores were 105 preimplant 48 postimplant. A successful outcome was achieved in 85 percent of patients with a functioning device. Intention to treat success rate was 53 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Although morbidity and the need for revisional surgery are high, the artificial bowel sphincter can improve anal incontinence and quality of life in patients with severe fecal incontinence.